Positional Words Worksheet: Before, You, and After!
This cut-and-paste worksheet teaches children ages 3-5 to apply the positional words 'before' and 'after' to a sequence of objects or people, connecting an abstract language concept to a visual, hands-on task. Understanding order words like these is an important building block for later skills such as retelling stories in sequence and understanding time concepts like yesterday and tomorrow. Choosing and placing the correct picture also reinforces careful listening and following two-step directions.
Part of the pack
Month 1: Learning & Development | Ages 5-6Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Read the positional word given for each empty box aloud with your child — either 'before' or 'after' — and make sure they understand which direction it points relative to the reference picture. Have your child cut out the small pictures from the strip at the bottom of the page using child-safe scissors. For each empty box, ask them to find the picture that belongs in that position and glue it into place. Review the finished page together, pointing to each row and saying the full sentence, like 'the cat comes before the dog.'
Materials needed
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
Extension activities
- •Have children act out the positions using themselves and other objects.
- •Create a sentence using each positional word.
- •Line up three toys and ask your child which one is before and after the middle toy.
- •Practice with daily routines, asking what happens before breakfast and what happens after breakfast.
- •Play a lining-up game where your child directs family members to stand before or after each other.
Tips for parents and teachers
Confusing 'before' and 'after' is very common at this age since both describe relative position rather than a fixed spot — use consistent real-life examples to anchor the words. Point in the direction of 'before' and 'after' with your hand as you say them to give a physical, visual cue. Praise your child for explaining their reasoning out loud, even if the picture choice needs a second look.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
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